Epitome | Carton Brewing Company

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Notes / Commercial Description:
We don't have many rules at Carton Brewing and those we have we made up for ourselves. In general though, we strive for drinkability through balance and harmonization of flavors. But even self-imposed rules are meant to be broken. With Epitome we decided to embrace the teenage metalhead in each of us and get discordant with a seriously hoppy, high gravity, black ale. The only notions accepted were to make it bigger, bolder, hotter & faster. A Beast. The ABV had to push past 10, the black had to be "none more," and the hops had to be American and piled on like a double bass drum kicking faster and harder. Drink Epitome because things worth doing are worth over doing.

On its own this is a straight up top tier imperial IPA. I tried school of hops and then this and that made it taste like a top tier black ipa. If I did not pour it in a glass I would think it was one of he best imperial IPAs out there and I have heady and crusher in my fridge right now. I poured it, its a black IPA and its magnificent!

Wow! Close to a five. First, more breweries should churn out black ipas. Second, how did most miss the most important ingredient in this beer. To me vanilla stands out. Jet black nose lacing and a nice IPA taste with a smooth finish. This is the best black IPA I've had. Great job on this one.

Pours black with thick lacing. Smell is piney and slightly fruity. Taste is... incredible. Citrus (sweet lemon?) and tropical, dank, strong malt backbone... the bitterness is faint and blends perfectly with the roasty sweetness. The taste is truly incredible. Thick, leaves and oily feel in your mouth after swallowing, some heat from the alcohol. But... you would never guess it is 10.3%
If you see this, buy it.